We are the double-whammy. We are Disney Annual Passholders, live 30-40 minutes from Disney World ( depending on I-4 traffic) and until very recently, my husband was a seasonal Cast member and we enjoyed all of those perks. ‘Disney-spoiled’ is the term I have used multiple times to define our current relationship with WDW.
It wasn’t always this way. In fact, I did not even get to go to Walt Disney World until I was 25. My husband and I saved for our 3rd-anniversary trip, thinking it would be ‘once in a lifetime.’
This was taken during our first trip to Disney, when Aladdin and Jasmine could be seen in their classic outfits outside in Morrocco.
3 years after that trip, he had an out of the blue call from a former boss asking if he wanted to move down here to teach. After a particularly cold winter in Indiana, we rather spontaneously thought ” why not?’
And now here we are. Disney-spoiled.
I don’t want to brag. I just want to explain this weird realization that I have had.
My husband and I KNOW how fortunate we are. We know what it is like to save thousands of dollars for a few magical Disney days.
Been there, done that…still have the Mickey ears to prove it.
Now, we have to explain to our kids that not everyone is as lucky as they are and they still don’t fully get that not everyone has been there. This is why I love sharing my Disney tips and lessons learned on this blog.
But, for this post, I thought maybe you would let me have a little fun.
The day you purchase your Disney passes, you may pick up some habits that are classic ” Disney Passholder” symptoms. This post lists the top surefire ways to identify Disney Annual Passholders.
1) Disney Magic Bands hang out in the vehicle’s glove box, just in case you happen to “end up in the area.”
At this point, they are also spilling out my purse…and there may be some under the bed…
P.S. If you find yours slide around your wrists, or don’t fit on your kiddos tiny hands, check out my re-sizing hack here.
2) Your 6 year old can give directions to anyone in the park.
I actually had someone ask us once if we knew where a restroom was…and Josiah accurately answered the question. He can’t remember what he had for breakfast sometimes, but I think he may have a future as one of those Disney VIP tour guides.
3) You use the My Disney Experience App for Dining Reservations and Menu checks more often than you use Yelp.
Disney Springs and the resorts become a go-to dinner spot…and snacking ‘around the world’ at Epcot becomes a viable meal option when you don’t feel like cooking.
4) You talk about going to Disney like it’s just a standard run to the grocery store…
“Yeah, it was a crazy weekend. I had to go to the grocery store, run to the bank, take the kids to a birthday party and we spent a couple of hours at Disney.”
5) You gauge your child’s height based on ride restrictions.
Doctor: She is growing well. She is 70th percentile for height.
Me: Um… so that means she should be able to ride Splash Mountain. Right?
6) You avoid Disney two weeks before to two weeks after any major holidays.
If I am posting a photo on Instagram or Twitter from the Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day…I can guarantee it was taken at least three weeks beforehand.
7) You can go to a park for a day and spend less than $5.00
Cause a Dole Whip only costs $4.49. You could even do one of those penny thingies….
8) You are constantly meeting friends and family at the park because someone is always in the area.
We have seen more friends and family since moving to Florida than we ever got to hang out with in Indiana…and we love being Disney guides!
9) Your kids would rather eat their meal than meet the characters at Character Dining. ( This legit happened to my Disney gal pal, Erin from StoryBookErin.com, at Akershus Banquet Hall)
10) Most of Your Gifts Are Disney related or come from the Disney store or a Disney Park.
I’m pretty sure that Amazon and World of Disney made up 99% of my Christmas shopping last year….
11) Your Disney Passes have a permanent line item in your budget, and you’d rather sell all your stuff off on Facebook before giving it up.
Fortunately, we have never been in this position and I certainly don’t advocate anyone purchasing Disney passes they can’t afford. But since I have become a disney passholder… I seriously think I would consider selling other things off before giving up my pass.
I couldn’t even fathom giving it up!
If you’re a Disney Passholder and can identify with these traits, give a shoutout in the comments!
If you liked this post, check out:
The Most Inspirational Disney Quotes To Live By
Kat
That’s really cool that you live so close to Disneyworld and can spend so much time in the park! I’m almost 30 and I’ve actually never been to Disneyworld or Disneyland. I just moved to the San Diego area, and it’s definitely on my list to check the park out after a pay day
Keri
I hope you get the chance to visit Disney soon!
meg
LOL I loved this article. So creatively written. I found myself plugging myself into a couple of these. “Disney is in my veins” -Ashely Eckstein
Jennifer
I loved this article!! We live like 9 hours away and my AP is always in my wallet and I keep a magic band in my purse…. just in case!!
Taryn
I can’t wait to live closer to Disney and be an Annual Passholder!! The countdown is on… 2 more years!